Verizon Into Explosives?

To be fair, the lede is a little misleading. The perp in question that made the threat is a contractor to Verizon. But like we say here on Third Pipe — ‘You are Who you Hire.’ –

Al Burrows of Las Cruces, New Mexico, sued Verizon Wireless in Santa Fe’s 1st Judicial District Court on April 20, claiming violations of state and federal debt collections laws, as well as “negligent infliction of emotional distress”–for which he wants the telecom giant to pay punitive damages. As of May 25, Verizon had yet to respond to a summons.

According to the lawsuit, last year Verizon bill collectors were making calls “too numerous to count” to Burrows over a relative’s unpaid cell phone bill.

When he hung up on one of these calls, the Verizon rep called him back, and grew “vulgar” and “abusive” in an attempt “harass and intimidate” Burrows.

“In particular, [Verizon's] representative stated that she knew where [Burrows] resided and said ‘I am gonna blow your mother fucking house up.’”

A suit is pending so VZ is in the closed clam mode. But you know, get a few of these kind of actions and it destroy’s the brand. We have seen stuff like this in VZ’s name from collectors, field reps, salesman, etc. They need to tighten up the contractual relationship of who they associate with.

HT: Sante Fe Reporter